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FAQs

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  • What is the program start date?

    • If you are starting in the Fall semester, your classes will start the day after the Labour Day holiday. If you are starting in the Winter semester, your classes will begin in the first or second week of January.

  • What is the program training end date?

    • If you start in the Fall semester and are registered for a full course load, the program ends with a four-week practicum that begins in early May. If you start in the Winter semester and registered for a full course load, the program ends with a four-week practicum that begins in early January.

  • Are there any breaks during the training period?

    • There are short breaks between the semesters. The Fall semester usually ends mid-December, and Winter semester classes don’t start until early January. The Winter semester usually ends mid-April and you won’t start Summer semester or work experience until early in May.

  • What is the difference between full-time and part-time admission status?

    • Full-time students must apply before the deadline, meet the English and keyboarding requirements and pay a $350 deposit. This gives full-time status students priority enrollment. When the Registrar's Office assigns registration times all full-time status students complete their registration before the part-time students begin registering. This ensures that full-time students have the opportunity to register in all of the courses that they need and allows us to guarantee full-time students that they will be able to obtain a seat in all required classes and successfully complete the program within a nine-month time period. However, part-time students in Office Administration programs may also register in up to five courses (15 credits) per semester. Therefore, part-time students can take a full course load.

  • How many hours per week will I be in class?

    • If you’re taking a full-time course load, you’ll complete five four-hour classes per week. Class time is twenty hours per week. If you’re studying part-time, the hours you spend in class per week will vary depending on how many courses they have registered in.

  • How many hours per week will I spend on homework?

    • It is generally expected that every hour of instruction will be matched with an hour of study or preparation by you. If you’re studying full-time, you can expect twenty hours of homework per week.

  • What days of the week will I be in training?

    • All classes are scheduled from Monday through Friday; there are no weekend classes. Classes are scheduled as early as 8:00 am and end as late as 4:30 pm; there are no evening classes.

  • Is there a practicum?

    • All students are required to complete a four-week practicum. A three-week practicum is completed on the job site in early May or January. You will then return to the college and present either an oral or written report during the following week.

  • Will the College help me find a practicum placement?

    • You are expected to find your own practicum placements; however, the practicum supervisor will monitor your progress and provide assistance as necessary.

  • What are the admission requirements for Office Administration programs?

    • You must have English 11 with a minimum "C" grade standing or equivalent. See the Douglas College General Admission Requirements for more information.

      All full-time students are also required to demonstrate some keyboarding speed and accuracy. Applicants to the Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate must have a keyboarding speed of 40 net words per minute. Applicants to all other certificate programs must have a keyboarding speed of 25 net words per minute.

      The current application fee is $30 and applications can be completed online. See the individual program pages (menu on the left) for more information.

  • Is there an admissions test?

    • Yes, both English and keyboarding assessment tests are available to all applicants. Once you have paid the $30 application fee a student number will be assigned to you and you can then complete any required assessments free of charge.

  • What are job opportunities like for graduates?

    • This is largely determined by the conditions in the prevailing job market. Generally, between 80-90% of our graduates are working within one month of graduation. Currently, 90-100% of our graduates are using their acquired skills on the job. Many gain employment through their practicum placement.

  • What is the typical starting salary?

    • This is also largely determined by the conditions in the prevailing job market. Currently, salaries for these job-entry positions range from $2,000-$3,000 per month.

  • How much will my program cost?

    • This depends on which program you are enrolled in. Tuition is calculated on a per-credit basis. In addition to tuition fees, all students must pay student fees. For a good approximation of how much your program will cost, consult the Program Costs Calculator.

  • Does the College issue a T2202A for income tax purposes?

    • Yes, T2202A forms are provided once per year through a secure website.
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